So one day after President Bush's speech claiming some "success" in Iraq, the White House report concerning whether real progress has been made in Iraq, based on 18 "benchmarks" comes out today, and everyone is reporting it as containing discouraging news. There's been progress on 7 benchmarks; progress on 2 others has been "mixed", and 9 others have seen unsatisfactory gains.
So here's the argument the White House needs to make: OF COURSE there has been slow progress on these benchmarks. There's been a great deal of violence in Iraq. Terrorist insurgents there are doing everything they can to obliterate progress in any and all areas. How can you make gains when security is tenuous? But now, the security situation has improved. Everyone agrees it has. So now let's see over the next 6 months what progress the Iraqis can make--given that now they'll have more security in which to do it. It's much easier to achieve political reconciliation when you don't have to constantly be looking over your shoulder. It's easier to make progress and to work for a free Iraq when you don't have to be concerned about being blown up. The White House and President Bush need to make this case, now.
